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Into the Wild: Yogesh Bhatia’s Grit and Glory in the Scorching Heat of Indian Jungles
New Delhi [India], May 15: When central India turns into a blazing furnace in May, with mercury touching 50°C, most wildlife photographers pack away their gear. But for Yogesh Bhatia, the extreme is exactly where the magic begins. In one such summer safari in Ranthambhore (Rajasthan), Yogesh stationed himself near a dried waterhole from 6 [...]
New Delhi [India], May 15: When central India turns into a blazing furnace in May, with mercury touching 50°C, most wildlife photographers pack away their gear. But for Yogesh Bhatia, the extreme is exactly where the magic begins.
In one such summer safari in Ranthambhore (Rajasthan), Yogesh stationed himself near a dried waterhole from 6 AM to 6 PM, battling the unforgiving sun. Armed only with ORS, fruits, and willpower, he waited silently as the jungle held its breath. “The heat was so intense, even the gypsy’s metal started burning to the touch,” Yogesh recalls. “But just when we thought we’d return empty-handed, around 5:45 PM, a majestic tigress emerged—cautiously walking to drink water. That one shot made the 12-hour ordeal feel like a blessing.”
Such days are not uncommon for Yogesh, whose deep passion for wildlife photography transcends physical discomfort. Whether it’s the sweltering plains of Tadoba or the dusty wilderness of Panna, Yogesh treats every moment in nature as sacred—even when the environment is unkind.
